〜そばから

As soon as / no sooner — repetitive or futile cycle

Formation

Verb (plain present/past) + そばから

Usage

Expresses that as soon as one thing happens, it is undone or followed by the same thing again. Often implies a frustrating or futile cycle.

Example sentences

掃除するそばから、子供が散らかす。

As soon as I clean, the kids mess it up again.

覚えるそばから、忘れてしまう。

I forget it as soon as I learn it.

稼ぐそばから、使ってしまう。

As soon as I earn money, I spend it.

直すそばから、壊れていく。

No sooner do I fix it than it breaks again.

言うそばから、同じ間違いをする。

Even as I tell him, he makes the same mistake.

Related grammar